Hillsboro-CV advances in Region 2 girls basketball tournament

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Hillsboro-Central Valley was looking for a mismatch. The Burros found one in Rachel Murphy.

The 5-foot-10 junior’s six points in the final 5 minutes, 3 seconds helped Hillsboro-CV hold off Midway-Minto 55-45 on Tuesday in the semifinals of the North Dakota Class B, Region 2 girls basketball tournament.

The Mustangs never led. But it was Murphy who was the primary one holding off Midway-Minto in the final quarter.

After Midway-Minto drew within 41-39, Murphy hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to start a 6-0 run. Midway-Minto cut the deficit to five, only to see Murphy drive the lane for a layup.

The Mustangs were still within 49-43 when Murphy converted an offensive rebound for a 51-43 lead with just 1:01 left.

“Coach was telling us to get the ball inside, and I definitely want the ball,’’ said Murphy, who reached the 20-point mark in a regular-season game against the Mustangs. “I was looking to shoot. I trust myself. My teammates have confidence in me.

“They’re a little smaller than we are. We have two posts, and it seems like shorter girls were guarding me. I was confident.’’